Machine for pleating metal fabrics and the like



Oct. 3, 1967 P. F. WILBER 3,344,814

MACHINE FOR PLEATING METAL FABRICS AND THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1965 g 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY PAUL F. WiLBER ATTORNX Oct. 3, 1967 P. F. WILBER 3,344,814

MACHINE FOR PLEATING METAL FABRICS AND THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. R, PAUL F. WILBER ATTOR P. F. WILBER 3,

MACHINE FOR PLEATXNG METAL FABRICS AND THE LIKE Oct. 3, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 26, 1965 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. PAUL F W! LBER ATTORNEY FIG. 4

MACHINE FOR PLEATING METAL FABRICS AND THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1965 P- F. WILBER Oct. 3, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jinn 12 J3;

H5/% FIG. H

INVENTOR.

PAUL F. W l LBER ATTORW United States Patent f 3,344,814 MACHINE FOR PLEATING METAL FABRICS AND TIEr LHGE Paul F. Wilber, Richland, N.Y., assignor to Dollinger Corporation, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 450,601 11 Claims. (Cl. 140-107) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A metallic fabric is fed across a slotted surface beneath a vertically reciprocable blade and a horizontally reciprocable pusher plate. When the blade is lowered, it grips the fabric. laws grip the fabric and advance it toward the blade, while a plurality of fingers project though the slotted surface to force the fabric upwardly into a pleat. The blade is then shifted over and down behind the pleat once again to grip the fabric, as the jaws open and retract to grip a new section of fabric. The strokes of the blade and jaw, respectively, can be adjusted to form pleats of different sizes.

This invention relates to a machine for pleating Wire fabric and the like, and more particularly to a machine for pelating wire mesh filter elements.

It is customary to make certain types of filter elements with a porous filtering fabric mounted on pleated wire mesh. The pleated conformation increases the amount of surface area presented to the fluid that is to be filtered.

Heretofore the pleated Wire mesh filter elements have been formed principally by feeding the wire mesh fabric between a pair of manually rotatable drums having undulating, intermeshing outer surfaces. As these drums are rotated, the fabric travels between their intermeshing surfaces and is pressed into a series of parallel crimps or folds. However, for pleats of different depths, it is necessary to use different drums having undulating outer surfaces of different depths.

Machines have also been built for pleating wire mesh filter elements; but prior known machines have been of special design and have had very limited range as to depths of pleats which could be formed.

An object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus for rapidly and efi'iciently pleating lengths of bendable filter material such as wire mesh or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wire fabric pleating machine, which is readily adjustable to vary the depth of the pleats which may be formed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a wire' fabric pleating machine, which is rugged, easy to operate, and substantially fully automatic.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

'FIG. 1 is a plan view of a machine made in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, parts of the machine being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of this machine, also with parts broken away;

Patented Oct. 3, 1967 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 in FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view on a reduced scale of the adjusting mechanism for setting pleat length;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view of this adjusting mechanism as seen when looking in the direction of the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detail on a reduced scale of the machines pleating bar mechanism; and

FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 illustrate diagrammatically successive steps showing how the machine in operation pleats the fabric.

The machine illustrated herein comprises a frame having thereon a slotted, horizontally disposed top plate. Mounted above this plate to reciprocate in a vertical plane is a vertically disposed blade. Also mounted above the top plate is a vertically disposed horizontally reciprocable pusher. Mounted beneath the top plate to reciprocate horizontally with the pusher, and having on its upper surface a plurality of teeth selectively movable through the slots in the top plate is a vertically movable fabric grip ping jaw. Also mounted beneath the top plate, and reciprocable upwardly through the slots therein and into the path of the pusher as it moves toward the blade, are a plurality of laterally spaced pleat forming fingers.

To commence the pleating of a piece of fabric one end of the fabric is pushed over the top plate beneath the pusher, and into the space between the latter and the vertically disposed blade. The machine is then started. As the pusher begins to move toward the blade, the jaw is elevated to grip the fabric snugly against the underside of the pusher. As the pusher continues to advance, the pleating fingers are elevated upwardly through the slots in the top plate to push the leading edge of the fabric upwardly against the face of the advancing pusher. The fingers and the pusher, with the fabric pressed therebetween, then advance toward the vertical blade. Just before the blade is engaged the fingers are withdrawn once again beneath the top plate so that the leading edge or fold of the fabric is pressed between the blade and the pusher. Thereafter the blade is elevated momentarily so that the upwardly folded portion of the fabric passes beneath the lower, knife-edge of the blade. The blade then descends into the space between the fabric fold and theface of the pusher, and its lower edge grips and holds the fabric against the top plate adjacent the lower edge of the pusher. As soon as the fabric is gripped beneath the lowered blade, the jaw is lowered out of gripping engagement with the bottom of the pusher and the latter is moved horizontally away from the blade and over the top of the trailing fabric for a distance equal to the overall length of a desired pleat.

When the pusher has reached its rearmost position, the jaw is once again raised into operative relation with the bottom of the pusher to grip the fabric at a point spaced from where it had gripped it previously, and the cycle is repeated. As the pusher again advances, the pleating fingers rise to push the fabric up into a fold between the blade and the pusher, and thereafter are lowered just be- 3 fore the blade is elevated to permit the newly formed pleat to pass therebeneath.

As will be described in more detail below, the pusher is reciprocated by a pair of rocker arms, each of which is connected by a tie rod and a pair of links to one end of the pusher. At one end thereof each tie rod is adjustably secured in a radial slot formed in its associated rocker arm; and each rocker arm is mounted intermediate its ends to pivot about a stationary axis in response to one of the drive cams of the machine. The adjustable ends of both of said tie rods are connected to a single, manually operable wheel which may be rotated to adjust the position of the tie rod ends in the abovementioned radial slots. The wheel is rotatable in opposite directions selectively to increase or decrease the radial distance between the stationary, pivotal axis of the rocker arms, and the adjustable ends of the tie rods, thereby selectively to vary the distance the tie rods are moved in response to the angular movement of the rocker arms, and hence to vary the overall length of the pleats which will be formed by the pusher plate.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference, the frame 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the machine comprises a pair of parallel, vertical sides plates 21 and 22' connected at opposite ends thereof by transverse end plates 23 and 24. A horizontal cover plate 25 is secured to the tops of the side plates 21 and 22 and covers substantially the rear half of the frame. A smaller horizontal cover plate 26 is secured to the tops of the frame sides 21 and 22 at thefront of the frame, and is spaced from plate 25. Secured at their forward ends beneath the rear edge of cover plate 26, and extending parallel to one another across the space between the cover plates 25 and 26 are a plurality of laterally spaced, metal straps 27. At their rear ends the straps 27 confront the forward edge of cover plate 25 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and are secured in the notched upper surface of a transverse bar 28, which is secured at the opposite sides by bolts 29 (FIGS. 2 and 4) to the frame sides 21 and 22.

Mounted on a plurality of channel irons 31 that extend transversely between the lower edges of the frame sides 21 and 22 adjacent the rear of the frame 20 is a conventional, variable speed electric motor unit 32 (FIG. 2). Secured to the output shaft 36 of the unit 32 is a drive sprocket or pulley 37 (FIG. 2). Sprocket 37 is connected by a chain or belt 38 to a sprocket 39 or pulley (-FIGS. 1 and 2) fixed to a shaft 41. This shaft is rotatably journaled adjacent opposite ends in aligned bearings 42 (FIG. 1) that are secured to the inside faces of the frame sides 21 and 22 above the motor unit 32. At opposite ends the shaft 41 projects through the frame sides 21 and 22 and has secured thereto two identical, axially-spaced face cams 43, which have identical cam tracks 44 (FIG. 2) formed in their outer faces.

Mounted to engage in each cam track 44 is a roller follower 45 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which is rotatably mounted on one arm of a two armed lever 46. The two levers 46 are identical in configuration, and intermediate their ends are secured adjacent the outer faces of the frame sides 21 and 22 to opposite ends of a rocker shaft 47, which extends transversely between the frame sides 21 and 22 beneath and slightly forwardly of the cam shaft 41. The

other arm of each lever 46 has therethrough a plurality of holes 48 (FIG. 2) and is pivotally connected by a bolt 51 to one end of a tie rod 52. Bolt 51 may be removably secured selectively in any one of the holes 48. At its opposite end tie rod 52 projects upwardly above frame 20 and is pivotally connected by a bolt 53 to a bearing sleeve 54 (FIGS. 1 to 4), which is guided by a stationary post 55 for vertical reciprocation above the forward edge of cover plate 25. The posts 55 are disposed adjacent opposite sides, respectively, of the frame.

7 Each post 55 is secured in a vertical position by a vertical, hollow frame or bracket 56 having a flange 57 (FIG. 2) along its lower edge secured by bolts 58 to the outside face of the adjacent frame side 21 or 22.

Secured at opposite ends thereof to a pair of spacer plates 61 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4), each of which is fixed to the inside face of one of the sleeves 54, is a transverse support bar 62 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). Secured to the top of bar 62 adjacent each end thereof, and laterally spaced inwardly from the adjacent spacer plate 61 is a bearing block 63 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Mounted slightly above the bar 62 between each .block 63 and the adjacent spacer plate 61 for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis is a rectangular hinge block 64 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). Each block 64 has projecting from one end thereof a pin 65, which is rotatably journaled in a bore formed in the outer end of each block 63.

Welded adjacent its upper edge to each block 64, and extending downwardly toward the top of the frame 20 is a generally vertically disposed blade or buffer plate 66, opposite sides of which overlap the forward edges of the spacer plates 61. Secured at one end thereof to the top of each hinge block 64, and extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom is a rigid, inclined strap 67. The

opposite end of each strap 67 is connected by a tension spring 68 (FIG. 2) to the top of the rear cover plate 25. The springs 68 tend constantly to urge the blocks 64, and hence the buffer plate 66, to an extreme counterclockwise position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, about the common axis of the pivot pins 65. The lower edge 69 of plate 66 is beveled off as shown in FIG. 3.

Secured to the cam shaft 41 adjacent opposite ends thereof, and axially spaced inward-1y from the inside faces of the frame sides 21 and 22 is a further pair of axially spaced, identical face cams 71 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Mounted to ride in a cam track 72 (FIG. 2) formed in the outer face of each cam 71 is a roller follower 73, which is rotatably mounted on one arm of a bellcrank lever 74. Intermediate its ends each lever 74 is rotatably journaled on a transverse shaft 75, opposite ends of which are journaled in the frame sides 21 and 22 forwardly of the shaft 47. The other arm of each lever 74 extends vertically upwardly from shaft 75 and has therein an elongate, radial slot 76 (FIGS. 2 and 5 Adjustably secured in each slot 76 by means of an adjustable bearing block 78 is an elongate pivot pin 77 (FIGS. 2 and 5). Each pin 77 extends through a bore in the associated bearing block 78, and at its inner end has an integral, internally threaded sleeve 79 (FIGS. 1 and 5), which overlies the inner face of the associated lever 74. The purpose of the sleeves 79 will be described in more detail below.

A tie rod 81 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is pivotally connected at one end to the outer end of each of the pins 77, and at its opposite end to a pivot pin 82 carried by one of two identical rocker arms 83 intermediate the ends of the latter. Each rocker arm 83 is secured at its lower end to a transverse rocker shaft 84, opposite ends of which project through the frame sides 21 and 22 and are journaled in bearings 85 (FIG. 2) secured to the inside faces of the frame sides 21 and 22 adjacent the forward end of the frame 20. The upper ends of the arms 83 are secured to a further transverse shaft 86, opposite ends of which project through large openings 87 (FIG. 2) formed in the frame sides 21 and 22 above the rocker shaft-84. At opposite ends thereof the shaft 86 is secured to a pair of laterally spaced and vertically disposed rocker arms 88 intermediate the ends of the latter. At their lower ends the rocker arms 88 are fastened to opposite ends, respectively, of the rocker shaft 84 adjacent the outer faces of the frame sides 21 and 22, respectively, whereby the pivotal movement of the rocker arms 83 is transmitted by the shaft 86 to the rocker arms 88.

At its upper end each rocker arm 88 projects above the frame 20, and is pivotally connected to one end of a link 91 (FIGS. 1 and 2). At its opposite end each link 91 extends rearwardly of the frame and is pivotally connected to the forward end of a slide bracket 93. The two slide brackets 93 are guided for horizontal reciprocation above and adjacent opposite sides 94, respectively, of the frame 20, by a pair of horizontal guide rods. Each guide rod 94 is secured at its rear end to the forward face of one of the vertical brackets 56, and at its forward end to a lateral flange 95 carried by one of a pair of L-shaped brackets 96, each of which is secured to one of the forward corners of the frame sides 21 and 22, respectively, at the front of frame 20. Secured by bolts 101 (FIG. 2) to the inside face of each slide bracket 93 adjacent the rear end thereof is a block 102 (FIG. 1). Also secured by the bolts 101 to the inside faces of the blocks 102 are the forwardly projecting flanged ends 103 (FIGS. 1 to 3) of a vertically disposed pusher plate or bar 104. Plate 104 extends transversely across the laterally spaced straps 27 for horizontal reciprocation with the brackets 93. Secured to the lower edge of'the plate 104 for sliding movement on the straps 27, and projecting slightly forwardly from plate 104 toward the front of the frame is a gripper bar 105 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

Also secured by the bolts 101 to the inside face of each flange 103 on the plate 104 is a plate 111 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). These plates project downwardly (FIGS. 2 and 3) through the space between the frame sides 21 and 22, respectively, and the adjacent straps 27. Pivotally connected at one end thereof by a pin 113 to each plate 111, and extending at its opposite end rearwardly of the frame is a jaw supporting arm 114. The rear ends of the two arms 114 are secured to opposite ends of a clamping bar 115 (FIGS. 1 to 4), which extends transversely beneath the straps 27 and beneath the bar 105. At laterally spaced points along its width the upper face of the clamping bar 115 is notched out to form thereon a plurality of laterally spaced jaws or teeth 116 (FIGS. 3 and 4), which register with the spaces between the straps 27. Secured to the under side of the clamping bar 115 adjacent opposite ends thereof are blocks 117. Rotatably mounted on aligned pins which project from the outer faces of the blocks 117 toward the inside faces of the frame sides 21 and 22, respectively, are a pair of rollers 118. These rollers 118 are adapted to roll on elongate camming members 121 (FIGS. 14) which extend in the direction of reciprocation of the slides 93.

Each of the two camming members 121 is pivotally connected adjacent opposite ends thereof to the upper ends of a pair of spaced, pivotal links 122 and 123 (FIGS. 24). Each pair of links 122, 123 is pivotally mounted on a bearing plate 124 (FIG. 2), which is secured to the outer face of one of the frame sides 21 and 22, respectively. At its lower end each link 122 is secured to a pivot pin 125 (FIG. 2), which is rotatable in one of the bearing plates 124. Intermediate its ends each link 123 is secured to a pivot pin 126, which is also rotatable in one of the bearing plates 124. At its lower end each link 123 has secured thereto a plurality of grommets 127 (FIG. 2), which are connected by tension springs 128 to the inside of the end plate 24 of frame 20. The springs 128 tend constantly to urge the links 123 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 2) about the axes of pins 126, thereby, with the cooperation of the links 122, to swing the camming members 121 upwardly into engagement with the rollers 118.

Pivotally connected at one end thereof to each lever 123 between its associated pivot pin 126 and the grommets 127, and extending rearwardly of the machine above and beyond the main cam shaft 41 is a tie rod 131 (FIG. 2). Each tie rod 131 is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the upper end of a rocker arm 132 (FIGS. 1 and 2). At its lower end each rocker arm 132 is secured to a transverse rocker shaft 133, opposite ends of which are journaled in bearings 134 secured to the outer faces of the frame sides 21 and 22 beneath and to the rear of the cam shaft 41. Shaft 133 is rocked by an arm 135, one end of which is secured to shaft 133, and the opposite end of which carries a roller follower 136, which rides on the periphery of a disk cam 138 secured to the main cam shaft 41. When the shaft 133 is rocked by the cam 138, the resultant rocking movement of the arms 132 is 6 transmitted by the tie rods 131 to the links 125, thereby effecting a vertical swinging movement of the camming members 121 into and out of engagement with the rollers 118.

Journaled at one end thereof on the rocker shaft 133, and projecting upwardly therefrom is a further rocker arm 141 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Pivotally connected at one end thereof by a bolt 142 to the upper end of the arm 141, and extending forwardly therefrom over the shafts 41 and 75, and beneath the cover plate 25, is a tie rod 143. At its forward end tie rod 143 is pivotally connected to the shaft 86 carried by the arms 83 and 88. Also pivotally connected at one end thereof by the pin 142 to the upper end of arm 141 is a further tie rod 144. At its opposite end rod 144 projects horizontally forwardly over the cam shaft 41 and is pivotally connected by a bolt 145 to a lug 146, which is integral with, and which projects rearwardly from a transverse draw bar 147. Opposite ends of the draw bar 147 are secured, respectively, to the rear ends of a pair of laterally spaced, parallel guide bars 148, each 7 Secured to each guide bar 148 intermediate its ends is V a sleeve 151 (FIGS. 1 and 2), having an integral boss 152 (FIG. 1) projecting therefrom toward a respective frame side 21 or 22. Supported adjacent ends thereof on the sleeves 151 beneath the straps 27 is a transverse bar 153, which has a plurality of laterally-spaced, upwardlyprojecting fingers or fold-forming members 154 integral therewith. Each finger 154 registers with one of the spaces between the straps 27. Secured to and projecting downwardly from the bottom of the bar 153 adjacent each end thereof, and slidable in a vertical bore formed in the lug 152 of each sleeve 151 is a rigid guide rod 155 (FIGS. 1 and 7). Also secured at their upper ends to the bottom of the bar 153 between the guide rods 155, and extending downwardly and inwardly toward one another to form a V-shaped yoke beneath bar 153, are two, rigid metal straps 156 (FIG. 7). Adjacent their lower ends the two metal straps 156 are pivotally connected by a bolt 157 (FIG. 2) to one arm of a bellcrank lever 158 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7), which is journaled intermediate its ends on the shaft 47. The other arm of lever 158 carries a roller 159 (FIG. 2) which rolls on the'periphery of adisk cam 160 carried by the cam. shaft 41. A tension spring 161, which is connected at one end to lever 158 and at its opposite end to the rear frame plate 23, urges lever 158 counter clockwise about shaft 41 to hold the follower 159 against the periphery of cam 160.

Rotatably mounted at opposite ends thereof in a pair of metal straps (FIGS. 1 and 2), which are welded to and project forwardly from the plates 96, is a shaft 166. Mounted on the shaft 166 for axial adjustment therealong are two brackets 168. Each bracket 168 is secured against movement on the shaft 166 by a manually operable set screw 169, which is threaded through the lower end of each bracket 168 and into engagement with the shaft 166. Pivotally mounted at one end thereof by a pin 170 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to the upper end of each bracket 168, and extending rearwardly therefrom over the top of the cover plate 26, two, laterally spaced, fabric guide bars 167, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below.

Secured to the rear faces of the vertical brackets 56, and projecting rearwardly therefrom adjacent opposite sides, respectively, of the frame 20, are two laterally spaced reinforcing webs 171 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Pivotally connected at one end thereof to a pin 172 (FIG. 2), which projects from the inside face of each 'bracket 171, and extending rearwardly from a respective bracket 171 over the top of the cover plate 25, is an arm 173. Secured at opposite ends thereof in the rear ends of the two arms 173, and extending transversely therebetween across the top of 7 the cover plate 25 is a shaft 174. Hinged at its rear end to the shaft 174 by a pair of laterally spaced brackets 175, and movable vertically relative to the cover plate 25, is a rectangularly shaped metal plate 176 beneath which the pleated fabric is adapted to pass as below described.

Rotatably journaled at opposite ends thereof in the frame sides 21 and 22 adjacent the bottom thereof, and extending transversely of the frame 20 beneath and rearwardly of the shaft 84, is a manually rotatable shaft 181 *(FIGS. 2 and At one end thereof shaft 181 projects beyond one of the frame sides and has secured thereto a hand wheel 182. Secured to shaft 181 adjacent opposite ends thereof, and positioned between the frame sides, are two, identical axially spaced bevel gears 183. Each gear 183 meshes with one of two further, identical bevel gears '184, each of which is secured to one end of one of two shafts 185, which are journaled intermediate their ends in a pair of brackets 186 secured to the inside faces of the frame sides 21 and 22. At its opposite end each shaft 185 is connected by a flexible, rotatable cable 187 to one end of one of two externally threaded rods 188, each of which adjacent its opposite end is theaded into one of the two sleeves 79 carried by the pins 77. Each cable 187 is guided in a bracket 190 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) mounted on the inside face of each of the bellcrank levers 74. The externally threaded rods 188 are thus made to rotate in unison upon rotation of hand wheel 182 to cause the associated sleeve 79, and hence its pin 77 and associated guide block 78, to be shifted radially in the slot 76 of the corresponding lever 74.

The electric motor for the unit 32 is adapted to be controlled by a conventional stop-start switch (not illustrated), by means of which the machine may be operated to inch the slide brackets 93 toward their extreme right hand positions as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. At this point the gripping jaws 116 are spaced beneath the bottom of the plate 104.

In operation, the leading edge of the fabric F, which is to. be pleated, is then passed between the laterally adjustable guide bars 167, along the tops of the straps 27, and beneath the pusher bar 104 far enough so that the leading edge of the fabric will be engaged by the pleating fingers 154, when the latter are subsequently elevated as below described. Once the leading edge of the fabric has been passed beneath and slightly beyond the bar 104, the motor unit 32 is energized to rotate the cam shaft 41 through the agency of the chain and sprockets 38, 37 and 39. As the shaft 41 begins to rotate, the two cams 71 oscillate the arms 74, therefore causing the tie bars 81 to pivot the two arms 83 first counterclockwise and then clockwise (FIG. 2) about the axis of the shaft 84. This causes the arms 83 to impart a corresponding pivotal movement to the arms 88, thereby causing the slide brackets 93, and the bar 104 mounted therebetween, to be reciprocated horizontally toward and away from the buffer plate or blade 66.

As the bar'104 advances toward plate 66, the cam 138 permits the rocker arm 135, the shaft 133, and the arms 132 to pivot slightly clockwise about the axis of the shaft 133 (FIG.-2) in response to the tension exerted on the lower ends of the links 123 by the springs 128. This elevates the cam bars 121 upwardly against the roller fol-,

lowers 118 causing the clamping bar 115 to be swung upwardly toward the underside of the pusher bar 104 (FIG. 8), whereby the leading end of the fabric is gripped firmly between the clamping bar jaws 116 and the underside of the gripper bar 105 as shown in FIG. 4.

After the fabric is gripped firmly'between the jaws 116 and the bar 105, the cam 160 on shaft 41 permits the spring 161 to pivot the lever 158 slightly counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 2. This causes the yoke formed by the straps 156 to move the pleating bar 153 vertically so about the axis of shaft 133, and through the agency of the pin 142 causing the tiebar 144 to move the draw bar 147, and hence the guide bars 148 and the sleeves 151, from the right to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2. This hozizontal movement is transmitted to the pins 155,'which project downwardly from opposite ends of the pleating bar 153, and hence to the pleating fingers 154 carried thereby. The pleating fingers 154 are thus subjected to both a horizontal and vertical movement during the advancement of the bar 104. After folding the fabric upwardly against the bar 104, the fingers 154 advance with the plate 104 toward the vertically disposed blade or buffer plate 66. Just before engagement with the blade 66, the fingers 154 are once again lowered beneath the straps 27 by the cam 160, so that the leading edge or fold of fabric in front of the bar 104 is pushed by the latter against the face of the blade 66 (FIG. 10).

When the fabric is pushed against blade 66, the latter is pivoted clockwise (FIGS. 2 and 3) about the axis of the aligned pins into engagement with the forward edges of the plates 61, and against the action of the springs 68. At this time the earns 43 pivot the levers 46 slightly counterclockwise (FIG. 2) about the axis of the shaft 47, thereby causing the tie bar 52 to shift the slides 54 vertically on the posts 55. These slides 54 lift the blade 66 until the lower edge 69 thereof passes above the upper edge of the fabric fold disposed between the blade 66 and the bar 104, at which time the springs 68 cause the blade 66 to pivot slightly counterclockwise about the axis of the pins 65, and into engagement with the face of the bar 104. Thereafter the cams 43 cause the slides 54 to draw the blade 66 downwardly behind the fabric fold (FIG. 11) until the lower edge 69 of the blade grips and holds the fabric against the cover straps 27 adjacent the lower edge of the bar 104.

The cam 138 then causes the arm 135, the shaft 133, and the arms 132 to be pivoted slightly counterclockwise (FIG. 2) against the action of the springs 128, thereby causing the links 122 and 123 to lower the camming members 121 downwardly and out of operative relation with the roller followers 118 carried by the clamping bar 115. The jaws 116 thus release the fabric relative to'the bar 104; and the cams 71 then cause the lever 74 to pivot the arms 88 clockwise (FIG. 2) about the axis of the shaft 84, thereby elfecting a withdrawal of the bar 104 from the left to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2. At the same time the arms 88 cause the tie bar'143 to effect a horizontal movement. of the pleating fingers 154 from the left to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the fingers will be ready once again to advance with the bar 104, when the next pleat in the fabric is formed.

As the bar 104 returns to its starting position remote from the blade 66, it slides over the top of the fabric, the leading end of which is then gripped beneath the blade 66. Shortly after the bar 104 commences once again to advance toward the blade 66, the jaws 116 are once again elevated by the cam 138; and the cycle of operation is once again repeated.

After the folds of fabric pass beneath the blade 66 they tend to spread out and become unmanageable if left unattended. For this reason, and after a few folds (broken lines in FIG. 11) have been formed on the lead end of the fabric, the forward or right hand end of the plate 176, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is pivoted upwardly (manually) and rested upon the upper edges of the folds to hold the latter in substantially vertical positions. As subsequent folds in the fabric are formed, the-vertically reciprocating blade 66 forces them rearwardly beneath the plate 176, thereby elevating the rear end of plate 176 9 until the plate rests horizontally upon the upper edges of the folds as shown by broken lines in FIG. 11. The weight of the plate 176 thereby tends to pack the folds close to one another until they are forced beyond the rear end (the left end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the plate, or until the entire length of fabric has been pleated.

The distance which the bar 104 travels during its movement from the right to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 (toward blade 66) determines the depth of the pleats which will be formed in the fabric. To adjust this distance, one need only to rotate the hand wheel 182. Upon being rotated the wheel 182 will cause the externally threaded rods 188 to shift both the sleeves 79, and hence the pins 77 and the adjusting members 78, equal distances in one direction or another along the radial slots 76 in the levers 74. If, for instance, upon the rotation of the wheel 182 in one direction, the pins 77 are shifted toward the axial centerline of the shaft 75, or downwardly as illustrated in FIG. 2, the horizontal movement of the tie bars 81 to the right in FIG. 2 in response to the clockwise movement of the levers 74 will be decreased, thereby decreasing the horizontal distance between the blade 66 and the bar 104, when the latter is in its position remote from the blade 66. Since this adjustment decreases the distance which the bar 104 will travel upon advancing to the blade 66, there will be a corresponding decrease in the length of fabric which will be gripped and folded upwardly between the blade 66 and the bar 104 during the advance of the latter. Conversely, to increase the radial depth of each fabric pleat, or in other words to increase the distance between the blade 66 and the bar 104, when the latter is in its position remote from the blade, the wheel 182 may be turned in the opposite direction to effect a shifting of the pins 77 away from the axis of the shaft 75, thereby increasing the lateral movement of bar 104 from left to right, when the levers 74 are pivoted clockwise in FIG. 2.

The extent of the vertical movement of the blade 66 may also be adjusted by shifting pins 51 from one to the other of the holes 48 formed in associated levers 46. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for instance, the pins 51 are mounted in the openings 48 that are remote from the pivotal axis of the levers 46 (the axis of shaft 47). The blade 66 is thus adjusted for its maximum vertical movement relative to the frame 20, a movement which is designed to be great enough to elevate the lower edge 69 of the blade 62 above the top of the highest pleat which is capable of being folded up between the bar 104 and the blade 66. If, however, the hand wheel 182 is adjusted to lower the height of the pleats formed by the machine, the extent of the vertical movement of the blade 66 may be decreased by shifting the pins 51 into the next adjacent openings 48 formed in the associated levers 46, thereby shifting the pivotal axis of each tie rod 52 at its lower end radially inwardly toward the axis of the shaft 47, and thereby decreasing the vertical distance each tie rod 52 is moved each time the levers 46 pivot counterclockwise (FIG. 2) about the axis of shaft 47.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that applicants novel pleating machine minimizes the manual operations involved in the pleating of an extended length of wire fabric or the like. The operator need only feed the leading end of the fabric between the arms 167 and beneath the bar 104, and thereafter see to it that the folds pass beneath the plate 176. Because the radial height of the folds formed between the blade 66 and the bar 104 may be adjusted by rotating handwheel 182 in one direction or the other, there is no need to utilize a cam separate from the cams 71 for effecting a horizontal shifting movement of the pleating fingers 154, nor is there any need to dismantle the cam shaft 41 to change the cams 71 thereon each time it is desired to effect a change in the radial height of the pleats that are to be formed in the fabric by the machine. Moreover, the openings 48 in the levers 46 permitready adjustment of the tie bars 52 so that the vertical movement of the blade 66 may be increased or decreased, depending upon the increase or decrease, respectively, effected in the pleat height through the adjustment of the handwheel 182. Also, by mounting the blade 66 for resilient, limited pivotal movement about the pins 65, the fabric pleats are pressed firmly between the blade 66 and the bar 104, but without transmitting any undersirable shock loads from the bar 104 to the blade 66. By separating each pleat from the face of the bar 104, the plate 66 prevents any undesirable jamming of the pleated fabric adjacent the center of the machine.

While the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A machine for pleating metal fabric and the like, comprising (a) a frame having thereon a flat surface across which successive sections of a length of a metal fabric are fed,

(b) a first plate mounted on said frame at one side of said surface for reciprocation into and out of an operative position in which its lower edge is adapted to secure the leadirrg end of a section of metal fabric on said surface,

(c) a second plate mounted on said frame at the same side of said surface in confronting, generally paral lel relation to said first plate,

((1) means for intermittently reciprocating said second plate across said surface toward and away from said first plate, when said first plate is in its operative position,

(e) clamping means for releasably securing the trailing end of a section of metal fabric beneath said second plate, each time the said second plate is advanced toward said first plate, thereby to advance the trailing ends of successive sections of said fabric across said surface with said second plate toward said first plate,

(f) folding means movable into the space between said plates during each advance of said second plate to engage and fold successive sections of fabric successively into the space between said plates to be pressed therebetween on each advance of said second plate,

(g) means for intermittently reciprocating said first plate, when said second plate is in its extreme advanced position, to lift said first plate over the fold between said plates, and then to drop said first plate downwardly behind the trailing side of the fold to secure the leading end of the next successive section of fabric on said surface, and

(b) means operative, after each reciprocation of said first plate, for releasing said clamping means to release the metal fabric during the succeeding movement of said second plate away from said first plate.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein (a) said flat surface has therethrough a plurality of spaced, parallel slots, which extend in the direction of movement of said second plate, and

(b) said folding means comprises a plurality of spaced fingers, and reciprocable means for moving said fingers from beneath said surface upwardly through the slots in said surface during the advance of said second plate toward said first plate.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2 wherein said clamping means comprises a jaw having a plurality of spaced teeth reciprocable from beneath said surface upwardly through the slots in said surface to grip the trailing end of a section of metal fabric against the lower edge of said second plate during the advance thereof toward said first plate.

4. A machine as defined in claim 1, including (a) means mounting one of said plates for limited movement by the other of said plates, when said second plate is moved to its extreme advanced position, and

(b) resilient means connected to said one plate and operative to resist its movement by said other plate, and to urge said one plate into abutting relation with said other plate upon the shifting of the lower edge of said first plate over a fabric fold pressed between said plates.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the firstnamed means comprises (a) at least one rocker arm pivotally mounted on said frame,

(b) a link operatively connected at one end to said second plate and pivoted at its opposite end on said rocker arm to reciprocate said second plate toward and away from its extreme advanced position in response to the movement of said rocker arm, and

(c) manually operable means for adjusting the radial distance between the pivotal axes of said link and said rocker arm to increase and decrease, selectively, the extent of the corresponding reciprocable movement that is imparted to said second plate by said link.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1, including (a) a member having a flat surface beneath which pleats formed in said metal fabric are adapted to pass upon being released from between said plates, and

(b) means mounting said member on said frame above said surface so that the weight of said member rests upon the pleats passing therebeneath.

7. A machine for pleating metal fabrics and the like, comprising (a) a frame having a horizontal surface,

(b) a pair of generally parallel, vertically disposed plates mounted on said frame above said surface, (c) means for reciprocating one of said plates vertically into and out of an operative position in which it is adapted releasably to secure one end of a length of metal fabric on said surface,

(d) means for reciprocating the other of said plates horizontally toward and away from said one plate, when said one plate is in its operative position,

(e) means operative, when said other plate is remote from said one plate for securing the opposite end of said length of fabric beneath said other plate for advancement therewith toward said one plate,

(f) means movable during the advancement of said other plate to fold said length intermediatae its ends into the space between said plates to be pressed therebetween on further advance of said other plate toward said one plate, the second-named means including (1) a pivotal rocker arm mounted on said frame,

(2 a link interposed between said arm and said other plate for reciprocating said other plate horizontally in response to the pivotal movement of said arm, and

(3) means pivotally connecting one end of said link to said rocker arm, and manually adjustable to shift the pivotal axis of said one end relative to the pivotal axis of said arm, thereby to change the distance said other plate is reciprocated by said link, and to produce a corre- 12 sponding change in the height of the pleat formed between said plates. 8. A machine as defined in claim 7, wherein the firstnamed means comprises (a) at least one further rocker arm mounted on said frame for pivotal movement, when said other plate is in its extreme advanced position,

(b) at least one further link interposed between said one plate and said further arm, and operative in response to the pivotal movement of said further arm, to reciprocate said one plate to lift it vertically over and then drop it downwardly behind the pleat pressed between said plates, and

(c) means for connecting one end of said further link to said further arm for pivotal movement relative thereto selectively about one of several axes, which are radially spaced different distances, respectively, from the ivotal axis of said further arm, and which are reciprocable different vertical distances upon the pivotal movement of said further arm.

9. A machine as defined in claim 7, including (a) means mounting said one plate for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis vertically spaced above said surface, (b) a spring connected to said one plate and operative constantly to urge said one plate about the lastnamed axis in a direction resiliently to squeeze the pleat formed between said plates, upon the movement of said other plate to its extreme advanced position, and resiliently to urge said one plate into engagement with said other plate upon the vertical movement of said one plate over the pleat formed beween said plates and the disposition of said one plate behind said pleat.

19. A machine for pleating metal fabrics and the like,

comprising (a) a frame having a horizontal surface,

(b) a pair of generally parallel, vertically disposed plates movably mounted on said frame above said surface,

(c) means guiding one of said plates for vertical reciprocation into and out of an operative position in which its lower edge engages and secures one end of a section of metal fabric on said surface,

((1) means guiding the other of said plates forreciprocation toward and away from said one plate, when the latter is in its operative position,

(e) gripping means operative, when said other plate is moved to its position remote from said one plate, to secure the opposite end of said section of fabric beneath said other plate for advancement therewith toward said one plate,

( f) means movable between said plates to fold said section of fabric upwardly, during the advance of said other plate toward said one plate, to be pressed between said plates upon further advance of said other plate toward said one plate,

g) at least two rocker arms pivoted on said frame to oscillate alternately, and

(h) means connecting said arms to said plates to reciprocate said plates alternately'in response to the oscillations of said arms, including (1) at least two links, each of which is pivotally connected to one of said arms to reciprocate one of said plates a distance proportional to the radial distance between the pivotal axis of said one arm and the pivotal axis of the link connected thereto, and

(2) means for adjusting the radial distance between the two last-narned axes to produce a corresponding adjustment in the reciprocation of the associated plate.

11. A machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the lastnamed means comprises (a) an adjustable block slidably mounted in a slot,

13 14 which is formed in one of said arms, and which References Cited grfrttetrlliiaiergeggllg rigidly relative to the pivotal axis UNITED STATES PATENTS (b) a rotatable hand Wheel on said frame, 9/1958 Wilson 140 71 (0) means connecting one end of said block to said 5 09 10 11/1961 Mshulam 72' 385 wheel to shift said block into difierent radial posi- 3,123,125 3/1964 Lacy 72385 tions in said slot upon the rotation of said Wheel, and (d) means pivotally connecting the other end of said RICHARD HERBST Pr'mary Examiner block to one end of one of said links. E. M. COMBS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR PLEATING METAL FABRIC AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING (A) A FRAME HAVING THEREON A FLAT SURFACE ACROSS WHICH SUCCESSIVE SECTIONS OF A LENGTH OF A METAL FABRIC ARE FED, (B) A FIRST PLATE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AT ONE SIDE OF SAID SURFACE FOR RECIPROCATION INTO AND OUT OF AN OPERATIVE POSITION IN WHICH ITS LOWER EDGE IS ADAPTED TO SECURE THE LEADING END OF A SECTION OF METAL FABRIC ON SAID SURFACE, (C) A SECOND PLATE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AT THE SAME SIDE OF SAID SURFACE IN CONFRONTING, GENERALLY PARALLEL RELATION TO SAID FIRST PLATE, (D) MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY RECIPROCATING SAID SECOND PLATE ACROSS SAID SURFACE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID FIRST PLATE, WHEN FIRST PLATE IS IN ITS OPERATIVE POSITION, (E) CLAMPING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING THE TRAILING END OF A SECTION OF METAL FABRIC BENEATH SAID SECOND PLATE, EACH TIME THE SAID SECOND PLATE IS ADVANCED TOWARD SAID FIRST PLATE, THEREBY TO ADVANCE THE TRAILING ENDS OF SUCCESSIVE SECTIONS OF SAID FABRIC ACROSS SAID SURFACE WITH SAID SECOND PLATE TOWARD SAID FIRST PLATE, (F) FOLDING MEANS MOVABLE INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID PLATES DURING EACH ADVANCE OF SAID SECOND PLATE TO ENGAGE AND FOLD SUCCESSIVE SECTIONS OF FABRIC SUCCESSIVELY INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID PLATES TO BE PRESSED THEREBETWEEN ON EACH ADVANCE OF SAID SECOND PLATE, (G) MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY RECIPROCATING SAID FIRST PLATE, WHEN SAID SECOND PLATE IS IN ITS EXTREME ADVANCED POSITION, TO LIFT SAID FIRST PLATE OVER THE FOLD BETWEEN SAID PLATES, AND THEN TO DROP SAID FIRST PLATE DOWNWARDLY BEHIND THE TRAILING SIDE OF THE FOLD TO SECURE THE LEADING END OF THE NEXT SUCCESSIVE SECTION OF FABRIC ON SAID SURFACE, AND (H) MEANS OPERATIVE, AFTER EACH RECIPROCATION OF SAID FIRST PLATE, FOR RELEASING SAID CLAMPING MEANS TO RELEASE THE METAL FABRIC DURING THE SUCCEEDING MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND PLATE AWAY FROM SAID FIRST PLATE. 